How are you inspired to preach the gospel of the kingdom? Rev. 6-8 explains the need to prepare for end time events knowing Satan’s plan, recognize God’s sovereignty in death and martyr of believers, expect cosmic disruption, embrace Christ as shepherd, let devastating events lead you to fervent prayer and recognize God’s judgment in disrupting comfort.
Prepare for End Time Events Knowing Satan’s Plan
When John watched the Lamb open the first of seven seals, he saw a white horse whose rider held a bow, given a crown and rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. When the Lamb opened the second seal, a fiery red horse came out whose rider was given power and a large sword to take peace from the earth and make men kill others. When the Lamb opened the third seal, a black horse came out whose rider held a pair of scales in his hand. John heard a voice from four living creatures saying a quart of wheat and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages without damaging the oil and wine (Rev. 6:1-6). Prepare for end time events knowing Satan inspires the antichrist to unleash devastating wars, famine and calamities on earth.
Recognize God’s Sovereignty in Death and Martyr of Believers
When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, a pale horse had a rider named Death and Hades followed close behind. They were given power over 25 percent of the earth to kill by sword, famine, plague and wild beasts. After opening the fifth seal, John saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the word of God and their testimony. They asked in a loud voice how long until the Sovereign Lord would judge and avenge their blood. Each was given a white robe and told to wait a little longer until their fellow servants and brothers were killed (Rev. 6:7-11). Recognize God’s sovereignty in the death and martyr of believers during the great tribulation because of God’s word and their testimony.
Expect Cosmic Disruption in Heaven and Earth
After opening the sixth seal, a great earthquake occurred, the sun turned black, moon turned blood red and the stars fell to the earth. The sky receded like a scroll and every mountain and island were removed from its place. Everyone, including the powerful elite, hid in caves and mountains. They called on them to fall and hide them from the one who sat on the throne and from the great wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:12-17). Expect cosmic disruption in heaven and on earth as sign of God’s wrath.
Inspire Preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom Before the End
An angel with God’s seal told the four angels not to harm the land, sea or trees until they sealed 144,000 Israelites. A great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language stood before the throne in front of the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches crying out that salvation belonged to God who sat on the throne and to the Lamb (Rev. 7:1-10; Matt. 24:14). Inspire the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in the whole world before the end comes.
Embrace Christ as Shepherd to Lead You to Springs of Living Water
The angels fell down before the throne and worshiped God saying praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength to Him forever. Those in white robes came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, made them white in the blood of the Lamb and served Him day and night in His temple before God’s throne. He who sat on the throne spread His tent so they never hungered, thirsted and experienced scorching heat. The Lamb at the center of the throne was their shepherd and led them to springs of living water. God wiped every tear from their eyes (Rev. 7:11-17). Embrace Christ as shepherd to lead you to springs of living water including wisdom, power and strength.
Let Devastating Events Lead You to Fervent Prayer
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about 30 minutes. An angel with a golden censer offered much incense with prayers of all believers on the golden altar before the throne. The incense smoke and believers’ prayers went up before God. The angel filled the censer with fire from the altar and hurled it on the earth (Rev. 8:1-5). Let devastating events lead you to fervent prayer in hastening Jesus’ return.
Recognize God’s Judgment in Disrupting Comfort
The first angel sounded his trumpet so hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled upon the earth. A third of the earth and trees were burned up, including the green grass. The second angel sounded his trumpet and something like a huge mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel sounded his trumpet and a great star fell from the sky so a third of the rivers and springs of water turned bitter with many people dying. The fourth angel sounded his trumpet and a third of the sun, moon, stars, day and night turned dark. An eagle said woe to the inhabitants of the earth because of the trumpet blasts by the other three angels (Rev. 8:6-13). Recognize God’s judgment in disrupting the ordinary means of comfort and created order.
Inspire yourself and others to preach the gospel of the kingdom by preparing for end time events knowing Satan’s plan and God’s judgment to disrupt comfort, allow God’s sovereignty in the death and martyr of believers to lead you to fervent prayer and let future cosmic disruption cause you to embrace Christ as shepherd.
